Synonyms of description

description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən 

1

as in depiction

a vivid representation in words of someone or something

we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• depiction
• portrait
• portrayal
• picture
• definition
• sketch
• tale
• rendering
• account
• delineation
• explanation
• vignette
• story
• narrative
• report
• illustration
• chronicle
• anecdote
• portraiture
• demonstration
• yarn
• clarification
• exposition
• exemplification
• explication
• elucidation

2

as in type

a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common

fixes small appliances and other things of that description

Synonyms & Similar Words

• type
• kind
• sort
• stripe
• genre
• variety
• breed
• nature
• manner
• species
• class
• kidney
• order
• model
• category
• like
• feather
• persuasion
• strain
• ilk
• sample
• specimen
• group
• grouping
• family
• bracket
• suite
• set
• rank(s)
• grade
• division
• bunch
• lot

Synonym Chooser

How is the word description distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of description are character, kind, nature, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might character be a better fit than description?

The meanings of character and description largely overlap; however, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When could kind be used to replace description?

While the synonyms kind and description are close in meaning, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would nature be a good substitute for description?

The words nature and description can be used in similar contexts, but nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When can sort be used instead of description?

In some situations, the words sort and description are roughly equivalent. However, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of description?

The synonyms type and description are sometimes interchangeable, but type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of description

The physical description evokes a compact, spiny, wide-eyed animal — the kind of species that would stand out immediately in a field encounter. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026

That description matched the physical profile of one of the IDOC officers, who had a semiautomatic pistol, according to Naugle. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026

The Journal will issue an extra five minutes after the game ends, giving an illustrated description of the game in detail and the complete score. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Feb. 2026

By Thursday, both Wasserman and Buss had been struck from the event’s description. —Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026